Healthy Sundays

Healthy Sundays, exemplifying CHS's mission to care for those in need, is one of the system's most prolific outreach efforts. Launched in 2005, the Healthy Sundays network provides preventive health screenings and education to members of medically underserved communities on Long Island. Partnering with more than 35 parishes and community centers across Nassau and Suffolk, the initiative continues to grow, offering the expertise of hundreds of CHS volunteers.

Winner of the Healthcare Association of New York State's 2011 Community Health Improvement Award and the Long Island Business News 2011 Health Care Heroes Award for Community Outreach, Healthy Sundays addresses prevalent medical conditions—such as tuberculosis, obesity, diabetes, cholesterol and hypertension—to improve health and quality of life. Educational topics and health screenings include cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure and body mass index, as well as flu shots. Most seminars are bilingual, given in Spanish or Haitian in addition to English.

In 2012, 57 events were held, with more than 5,346 free screenings and 2,289 immunizations provided and 6,741 individuals in attendance. A total of 367 CHS personnel volunteered 2,227 hours. As a result, more than 1,121 Long Island residents received medical referrals for treatment. Those with abnormal results are seen at CHS hospitals or its other facilities such as the Bishop McHugh Health Centers in Bay Shore and Hicksville, where they are cared for regardless of their ability to pay.